University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


Old  Fashioned  Black  Fo'ks 


POEMS 


BY 


ELLIOTT  ELAINE  HENDERSON 


AUTHOR  OF 

"Plantation  Echoes" 
"Soliloquy  of  Satan" 
"Dis,  Dat  and  Tutter" 
"Jes  Plain  Black  Fo'ks' 
"Uneducated  Fo'ks" 


Columbus,  Ohio 

Published  by  the  Author 

1913 


DEDICATION 


This  book  is  respectfully  dedicated  to  the  following  named 
persons  who  were  among  the  very  first  to  encourage  my  efforts. 
I  therefore  take  this  opportunity  of  manifesting  my  deep  ap- 
preciation.—E.  B.  H. 


Mr.  William  J.  Joyce 

Dr.  E.  J.  Wilson 

Mr.  F.  P.  Copper 

Mr.  B.  K.  Black 

Dr.  C.  L.  Spohr 

M.  E.  L.  Pease 

Mr.  Robert  Candy 

Dr.  S.  Andre  Crotti 

Mr.  W.  K.  Williams 

Postmaster  H.  W.  Krumm 

Mr.  Theodore  Lindenberg 

Mr.  W.  F.  Hoffman 

Dr.  W.  H.  Syfert 

Mr.  J.G.  Lykes 

Judge  Samuel  G.  Osborn 

Judge  E.  B.  Dillon 

Dr.  Sherman  Leach 

Col.  J.  G.  Battelle 

Mr.  E.  G.  Burkam 

Mr.  S.  P.  Bush 

Mr.  Butler  Sheldon 

Mr.  JohnF.  Wilson 

Mr.  G.  K.  Mitchell 

E.  A.  Hamilton,  M.  D. 

Mr.  W.  J.  Nonnenmacher 

Mr.  S.  E.  Strode 

Rev.  Dr.  Carl  Patton 

Washington  Gladden,  D.  D. 

H.  W.  Whitaker,  M.  D. 

W.  U.  Cole,  M.  D. 

Mr.  Claud  Meeker 

Mr.  Henry  C.  Werner 

Mr.  Robert  E.  Sheldon 

Mr.  Thomas  H.  Sheldon 

Mr.  J.  M.  Henry 

Mr.  E.  E.  Fisher 

Mr.  Philipp  Schneider 

Dr.  A.  A.  Peasly 

Mr.  Ollie  Wood 

Mr.  William  Newton 

Mr.  J.  T.  Daniels 

Mr.  K.  E.  Casparis 

Mr.  Fred  Berry 

Mr.  C.  G.  Henderson 

Mr.  Hugh  Huntington 

Dr.  A.  W.  Newell 

Mr.  J.  O.  Dye 

Mr.  J.  A.  Hedges 

Dr.  A.  W.  Kiler 

Dr.  Earl  Euans 

Hon.  Stacy  B    Rankin 

Hon.  W.  G.  Bowland 

Mr.  Cecil  Fanning 

Gen.  Thos.  E.  Powell 


Prof.  J.  A.  Schawan 
Mr.  F.  L.  Packard 
Mr.  E.  F.  Babbitt 
Dr.  J.  H.  J.  Upham 
Dr.  F.  L.  Stillman 
Dr.  W.  D.  Hamilton 
Dr.  Albert  C.  Cooper 
Mr.  T.  M.  McGovern 
Mr.  Jacob  Scowden 
Mr.  J.  W.  Banning 
Mr.  J.  C.  Eaton 
Rev.  J.  C.  Schaer 
Hon.  Geo.  R.  Young 
Mr.  L.  W.  Cargill 
Dr.  J.  P.  Merchant 
Dr.  Geo.  Stockton 
Mr.  E.  B.  Merrell 
Mr.  J.  T.  McGrath 
Col.  James  Kilbourne 
Mr.  Herman  Hoster 
Mr.  Edward  Born 
Mr.  Clifford  Coffman 
Dr.  E.  E.  Smith 
Dr.  G.  C.  Schaeffer 
Mr.  C.  M.  Kinnard 
Mr.  S.  F.  L.  Dean 
Mr.  C.  O.  Tracy 
Mr.  L,ouis  N.  Reif 
Mr.  Henry  Goldsmith 
Mr.  Wm.  Mumm 
Dr.  R.  W.  Deyo 
Mr.  Edmund  F.  Arras 
Prof.  Alfred  Barrington 
Mr.  Carl  J.  Hoster 
Mr.  Roger  Stafford 

Ohio  State  Journal 
Dr.  Bruce  E.  Lindsey 
Mr.  Kinnard 

Mgr.  Crystal  Ice  Co. 
Mr.  E.  J.  Butterworth 
Mr.  Wm.  M.  Jones 
Mr.  Karl  D.  McMahon 
Mr.  J.  H.  Tilton 
Mr.  John  Wiley  Steube 
Mr.  E.  M.  Poston 
Mr.  Tw.  H.  Bogardus 
Mr.  I.  A.  Morrissett 
Mr.  Ore  E.  Kendell 
Rev.  Dr.  Tim.  Lehmann 
Mr.  J.  C.  Nailor 
Mr.  B.  W.  Gearhart 
Mr.  John  Stoddard,  Jr. 
Mr.  D.  H.  Peoples 
Mr.  Emmett  H   Slay 


Mr.  Clyde  C.  Phillipps  P.  W.  Pheneger,  M.  D. 

Mr.  H.  M.  Burringten  Mr.  Evan  Walters 

Dr.  A.  Ross  Read  Mr.  Sara  Kinuear 

Mr.  Herman  Hoster  Hon.  H.  J.  Booth 

Hon.  Clifford  B.  Dye  Mr.  Herman  Hubbard 

Hon.  I.  Brubacher  Mr.  O.  P.  Gothlin 

Mr.  Bryson  Mr.  L.  M.  White 

Mr.  James  O'Kane  Mr.  J.  C.  Campbell 

Mr.  Willis  Robinson  Dr.  W.  H.  Miller 

Mr.  H.  J.  Westerman  Dr.  Chas.  F.  Hatton 

J.  M.  Lisle,  M.  D.  Mr.  N.  C.  Court 

Hon.  C.  E.  Belcher  Dr.  E.  F.  McCampbell 

Mr.  L.  A.  Holmes  Mr.  R.  M.  Small 

Hon.  J.  T.  Holmes  Mr.  Geo.  J.  Baumgartner 

Mr.  Lawrence  Taft  Mr.  E.  J.  Butterworth 

Mr.  Fred  Richter  Mr.  Albert  Joyce 

Prof.  Kinkead,  Ass't  Supt.  Rev.  Dr.  Britan 
Columbus  Public  Schools        Mr.  E.  F.  Berry 

Hon.  C.  A.  McCleary  Mr.  Robert  Young 

Mr.  C.  C.  Jaynes  Mr.  H.  L.  Kirkling 

Mr.  Guy  V.  Hollar  Mr.  Fred  D.  Connelly 

Capt.  C.  N.  McDonnell  Mr.  L.  M.  White 
Mr.  Geo.  C.  Ruth 


I  some  times  think 

That  in  this  old  world  of  strife 
That  the  Negro,  alone, 

Gets  real  sweetness  out  of  life, 
For  the  simple  good  reason, 

That  with  just  a  little  bit, 
He's  always  in  good  spirits 

And  a  bustin'  out  with  wit! 

Why,  he'll  dance  and  sing 

If  he  hasn't  got  a  cent 
To  pay  for  his  "britches," 

Or  to  pay  for  the  rent. 
While  the  white  man's  a-worrying 

Because  he's  got  no  more, 
The  Negro  is  rejoicing — singing — 

"All's  Honkeedore!" 

He's  happy-go-lucky 

If  it  rains  or  it  shines; 
If  otherwise  in  spirit 

Why  he  doesn't  show  no  sign. 
If  compelled  to  feast  on  "middlins" 

Instead  of  eating  chicken 
He  licks  his  chops  contented, 

Goes  on  eating  without  kicking. 

The  lightning  can  flash, 
And  the  thunder  can  roar, 


10  SOME  NEGRO  CHARACTERISTICS 

And  the  winds  raise  the  mischief, 
Threaten  to  break  in  the  door; 

But  he'll  just  cross  his  legs 
And  sit  back  'side  the  wall 

As  though  he  isn't  bothered 
As  to  what  come  at  all! 

That  the  Negro's  constituted 

Peculiarly,  why,  there's  no  doubt — 
Under  the  most  discouraging  features 

He  will  sing,  rejoice  and  shout! 
It  seems  he  has  the  knack 

To  make  trouble  tuck  his  tail  and  run, 
And  look  on  in  a  jolly  mood 

And  seem  to  e'joy  the  fun. 

When  he  gets  muddled, 

Or  when  he  gets  blue, 
He  don't  fetch  his  troubles  roun, 

To  pester  me  and  you, 
But  he  totes  right  along, 

With  a  whistle  or  a  song. 
As  though  things  are  right, 

And  nothing's  gone  wrong. 

If  he's  got  the  rheumatism, 

If  he's  got  the  chronic  gout, 
Don't  matter  how  they  pester 

In  church  meeting,  he  can  shout ! 
Just  fling  his  legs  like  sixty, 

Throw  his  crutch  and  cane  away, 
And  shout  'long  with  the  fastest 

From  midnight  plum  till  day. 


SOME  NEGRO  CHARACTERISTICS  11 

If  his  burden  gets  so  heavy, 

That  it  bends  him  nigh  mos'  double, 
He  jogs  along  o'  singing 

"Umph,  it's  trouble,  trouble,  trouble!" 
De  good   Lawd's   gwine   to   fotch   us   out 

All  right  bye  and  bye ! 
Keep    er    inchin'    erlong,    keep    er    inchin' 
erlong, 

Dont'  weep,  don't  moan,  ner  sigh! 

It  isn't  because  the  Negro 

Doesn't  have  ups  and  downs, 
That  he  doesn't  seem  to  worry 

And  seldom  seems  to  frown. 
For  the  Negro  has  had 

A  pretty  hard  row  of  stumps, 
To  get  up  'bove  the  level 

Of  the  knocks  and  the  bumps ! 

He's  had  a  lot  of  ups  and  downs 

Too  numerous  for  to  mention, 
But  he  has  plodded  right  along, 

A  trying  to  Void  contention. 
In  spite  of  all  the  crooks  and  turns, 

Of  all  the  rough  and  tumble 
Through  devious  ways  he  has  been  raised 

From  depths  most  grim  and  humble ! 

But  there  are  times  some  things  are  done 

Which  go  against  his  grain, 
That  rile  him  up  and  make  him  sore, 

Because  strikes  deep  the  pain; 
But  soon  it  passes  as  the  storm 


12  SOME  NEGRO  CHARACTERISTICS 

And  he  forgets  the  sting, 
With  heart  and  soul  he  tugs  away, 
And  pats  his  foot  and  sings. 

He  has  sung  a  song, 

For  decades  in  this  clime, 
"You  may  have  all  the  world 

Gimme  Jesus  all  the  time." 
Some  people  take  it 

As  a  pretty  good  joke! 
Say  he's  got  all  of  Jesus, 

All  the  "world,"  the  white  folk ! 

But  he's  waking  up, 

He's  opened  his  eyes ! 
He's  getting  broad, 

He's  getting  wise ! 
And  long  since  learned 

That  money  gotten  right, 
To  take  along  with  Jesus 

For  to  help  him  out  his  plight ! 

So  as  a  final 

To  this  scribble 
I  will  add 

Just  one  more  ripple ! 
In  true  language 

I  will  say, 
Now  understand, 

I  don't  gainsay, 

I  am  a  Negro 

Plum  to  the  core! 
My  Gracious  Master 


SOME  NEGRO  CHARACTERISTICS  13 

I  adore, 
That  He  has  made  me 

What  I  am 
A  true  born  son 

Of  the  race  of  Ham! 


Deys  nuffin'  dat  am  beddah 

Fo'  to  dribe  erway  de  muddles, 
To  git  you  out  de  mire 

An'  to  fotch  you  out  de  puddles, 
Den  to  caper  to  de  music 

Ob  an'  ol'  banjo, 
When  de  music's  quick  an'  ticklish 

An'  it  'taint  er  bit  slo' ! 

How  it's  plinkertee,  plink! 
An'  it's  plunkertee,  plunk! 
Gits  you  hoppin'  an'  o'  bobbin' 
Till  you   feel  hunkeedunk ! 

When  de  day  drags  slo', 

An'  de  hours  solemn  lak 
An'  de  shaddahs  dawk  an'  gloomy, 

Settle  roiin'  erbout  yo'  shack, 
An'  de  rain  drizzles  down 

Wid  it's  pitter,  pitter  pattar 
Ef  you  den  can  hyah  de  banjo 

How  you  lonesum  f eelin'  scattahs ! 


14  BANJO  DITTY 


Kaze  it's  plinkertee,  plink! 
An'  it's  plunkertee,  plunk! 
Gits  you  hoppin'  an'  o'  bobbin' 
Till  you  feel  hunkeedunk ! 

When  de  banjo  plays  de  ditty, 

"Uncle  Kech,  Sally  Brown" 
An'  de  uddah,  "Stan5  Back  Young  Foks" 

Slute  de  oP  fo'ks  come  to  town, !" 
An'  evahbody's  drappin'  in 

Er  hoppin'  'bout  with  ease, 
An'  you  hyah  de  call  er  comin', 

"Slute  yoh  poddnahs  ef  you  please!" 

How  it's  plinkertee,  plink! 
An'  it's  plunkertee,  plunk! 
Gits  you  hoppin'  an'  o'  bobbin* 
Till  you   feel  hunkeedunk! 


A  Regrettable 


Speakin'  bout  boghead 

Puts  me  in  de  mine, 

Ob  de  time  ah's  mawlin'  rails, 

B'low  de  Mason-Dixon  line. 

One  day  ah  fotchd  er  hoghead,  home, 

When  Mandy  says  to  me, 

Let's  hab  er  hoghead  supper, 

An'  vite  obber,  Eldah  Lee! 

Ahsaidumph!    Dat's  jimdandy! 
Ah's  got  no  jeckshens  tall! 


A  REGRETTABLE  INVITATION  15 

Ah  tinks  ahd  lak  to  hab  de  Eldah 
Drap  in  fo'  er  call ! 

Ah  bleeb  it's  time  dat  we  should  show 
Our  good  will  toward  de  brudder, 
An'  'sten  an'  inbertayshun,  now, 
Widdout  er  waitin'  f udder ! 

So  Mandy  hopped  an'  jumped  erbout 

Er  singin'  an'  er  smilin', 

An'  put  de  pots  and  skillets  on, 

An'  soon  had  tings  er  bilein' ! 

She's  dabblin'  hyah,  she's  dabblin'  dare, 

Er  tarnin'  dis  way  an'  tudder, 

While  de  hoghead  bilein'  in  de  pot 

Kep'  sayin',  "spudder!  spudder!" 

We  sent  ah  HT  Rastus  out 

To  tell  de  Eldah  Lee, 

To  fotch  his  wife  an'  family,  obber, 

To  ah  shack  f  o'  tea ! 

We  barely  got  tings  fixed  up  right, 

When  long  comes  Eldah  Lee, 

An'  hopps  into  ah  shanty,  says, 

"We  am  done  come,  vou  see ! 

Ah  hopes  you  all  will  skewze  us, 
Ef  wees  HT  head  ob  time. 
Ah  spoze  it  makes  no  diffunce, 
An'  you  bidders  it  no  crime! 
When  Rastus  said  er  hoghead  feas' 
Was  waitin'  fo'  us  all, 
Ah  made  mah  mind  up  ahd  be  hyah, 
Ef  fo'ks,  ah  had  to  crawl! 


16  A  REGRETTABLE  INVITATION 

Ah  'seeved  yoh  immitation 
Jes'  befo'  de  clock  struck  fow ! 
An'  ah  tole  mah  wife  an'  fambly 
Dat  ah  'spec'  weed  beddah  go. 
Ah  knows  yoh  latch  string,  brudder's 
Allus  danglin'  out  fo'  me! 
An'  it  makes  me  feel  ez  tickled 
An'  ez  happy  ez  can  be! 

You  all  since  ah's  been  preechin'  hyah, 

Hab  treated  me  so  nice, 

Dat  ahd  lak  to  be  yoh  preechah 

Twice  ez  long  ez  Eldah  Fice ! 

It  seems  to  me  mah  bruddah, 

Dat  ah's  been  hyah  all  mah  life! 

An'  longs  you  feed  us  diss  erway 

We  sho'  won't  hab  no  strife ! 

You  know  ah  is  yoh  shepherd 

An'  you  all  am  some  mah  flock ! 

So  keep  er  plenty  hoghead,  chickens, 

All  sich  stuff  in  stock! 

You  kno'  de  scripshure  pintly  says, 

'Gawd's  lams  mus'  all  be  fed!' 

So  you  am  carryin'  out  dem  sweet  words 

In  'vitein'  us  to  dis  spread!" 

At  las'  ah  said  "sot  down  you  fo'ks 

Dey  haint  no  use  ob  waitin' !" 

De  eldah  said,  "You're  right  mah  fren, 

'Bout  date  we'll  hab  no  d'batein! 

Jes'  sot  me  near  dat  hoghead, 

Ef  you  hab  no  superstishen ! 


A  REGRETTABLE  INVITATION  17 

It  seems  in  diss  oT  world,  mah  fren, 
Dat  eatin's  mah  special  mission!" 

Umph !  When  he  opened  up  his  mouf, 

Commenced  to  ax  de  bressins, 

'Twas  den  ah  felt  down  in  mah  heart 

Er  feein'  mos'  distressin' ! 

He  said,  "Oh  Lawd,  sich  stuff  ez  diss, 

Am  mannah  f um  on  high ! 

'Recpt  mah  tanks  fo'  sich  good  luck, 

Dat  hab  not  passed  me  by! 

"Ah  loves  to  kno'  dat  hyah  below, 

Wees  got  some  milk  an'  honey! 

An'  dat  it  tain't  all  up  erbove, 

Whah  de  streets  am  gold  an'  sunny! 

We  want  some  good  tings  'fo'  we  leave 

Diss  hyah  ol'  worP  ob  trouble! 

Tote  some  mo'   hoghead,  chickens   'roun', 

An'  make  ah  pohshen  doubble!" 

He  litt  into  dat  hoghead 

An'  jes'  toh  it  all  to  pieces 

He  put  de  mos'  erpon  his  plate, 

Said,  mah  fren'  ah  now  beseeches, 

You  do  de  waitin'  on  de  res', 

Dat  am  mo'  to  yoh  lackin', 

Ah'll  he'p  mahse'f  an'  eat  right  on, 

An'  keep  some  jokes  er  crackin' ! 

Diss  hoghead  goes  right  to  de  spot! 

Ah  kain't  leeb  off  er  secun! 

Ef  you  don't  stop  me,  dog  mah  skins, 


18  A  REGRETTABLE  INVITATION 

Ah'll  eat  it  all,  ah  reckun! 

Kose  you  don't  mine  dat  ah  presumes, 

Beings  it's  mah  choices'  meat! 

Ah  knows  it  does  you  pow'ful  good 

To  see  yoh  Pawson  eat ! 

He  fotched  all  ob  his  chillun  'long, 
'Bout  sixteen  pickahninnies ! 
Umph  !  Mussy  me !  how  dey  did  eat ! 
Dey  stuffed  lak  ducks  and  guineas ! 
Dey  licked  dey  chops,  dey 
Licked  de  plates,  dey  licked  dey  fingers,  too ! 
De  Eldah  cried,  keep  eatin'  fo'ks 
Lawd  knows  we's  jes'  ha'f  thru! 

Well  when  dey  rizz  up  fo'  to  go, 

Ah  sho'  gawd  felt  lak  shoutin' ! 

De  way  dey  eat,  dey  made  me  mad, 

Ah's  swelled  up  an'  er  poutin'. 

In  fac'  ah's  mad  ernuff  to  fight ! 

An'  ef  day'd  kep'  on  eatin', 

Ahd  smacked  dem  chillun  'way  fum  dare, 

An'  gibb  de  paws'n  er  beatin' ! 

Dey  eat  much  ez  er  dozen  dogs, 

Six  hogs  two  mules  besides. 

Ah  wandered  how  dey  ebber  put. 

All  dat  stuff  in  dey  hides. 

Ah  swo'  dat  preechah  and  his  fo'ks, 

Done  eat  dey  las'  wid  me. 

An'  when  dey  filed  out,  said  good  bye, 

Ah  cried,  thank  God  we're  free! 


A  REGRETTABLE  INVITATION  19 

Well  whut  dey  lef ' 
Dey  wouldn't  been, 
Ernuff  to  grease  er  nickel! 
De  only  ting,  dey  didn't  tech, 
Was  jes'  one  poh  small  pickle! 
De  nex'  time  dat  ah  has  hoghead, 
You  bet  yoh  coon  skin  jacket, 
Ah'll  'vite  no  body  but  mahse'f, 
Ah  don't  care  who  don't  lack  it ! 


Fiddle-de !  Fiddle-dee ! 

Fiddle-dee,  fy! 
Now  am  de  possum 

An'  de  coon  time  nigh ! 
Come  on  wid  de  dogs, 

An'  we'll  hab  er  juberlee, 
We'll  run  de  coon  an'  possum 

Up  de  sickermire  tree ! 

Let  loose  de  dogs,  boys ! 

Dat's  de  way  to  do ! 
You  kno'  Uncle  Joe's 

Lots  older  den  you ! 
He's  chased  coons  an'  possums 

Long  fo'  youse  thought  erbout! 
He  knows  jes'  whut  to  do 

To  fotch  de  coon  an'  possum  out! 

De  air,  am,  kam, 

An'  de  moon  shines  bright ! 


20  A  'POSSUM,  COON  CHASE 

Ah  Boys,  Ah  tells  you 

Dis  sho'  am  de  night, 
To  git  Mistah  Coon, 

Mistah  Possum  on  de  run! 
Go  long  ez  Ah  tells  you,, 

An'  we'll  hab  barrels  ob  fun ! 

Ha!  Ha!  Dey's  struck  sumpin, 

Sho'  ez  you  born ! 
Whut's  dat  dey's  treein' 

Down  yondah  in  de  corn? 
Be  dogs !  It's  er  coon ! 

Ah'll  bet  mah  coon  skin  jacket! 
Good  Lawd!  Jes'  lissen 

At  de  fuss  an'  de  rackett ! 

Dah  he  goes,  boys! 

Come  on  f  oiler  me ! 
Kech  him  fo'  he  gits 

To  dat  sickermire  tree ! 
Sick  'im,  Towser!  Sick  'im! 

Git !  boys,  git ! 
Ah's  mos'  forgot  Ah's  ol', 

Ah's  got  to  res'  er  bit ! 

Jes'  run  right  erlong, 

An'  don't  mind  me ! 
But  fo'  Gawd  sake  fotch  dat  coon, 

Out  dat  sickermire  tree ! 


21 


'Siidhi  aura  MeMim"  m  Msife  SMiraP 


Sich  er  itchin'  in  mah  shins 

Sich  er  ticklin'  in  mah  feet ! 
Kaze  de  music  ob  de  ragtime 

Is  so  poody  an'  so  sweet ! 
Dey  hain't  nuffin'  dat  am  sweetah 

Fo'  to  make  you  hop  and  jump 
Den  de  music  ob  de  ragtime 

When  it's  comin'  thumppee-te-thump ! 

Sich  er  bobbin'  up  an'  dcwn ! 

Sich  er  swingin'  to  an'  fro' 
Cullahd  fo'ks  is  mighty  happy 

When  dey's  makin'  sich  er  sho' ! 
Dey's  'bout  ez  nigh  heaven 

Ez  dey  ebbah  wants  to  be. 
Den  it's  "Go  day,  God  send  Sunday, 

Ebbah  day  is  juberlee!" 

Dat's  de  cullahd  fo'kses  music! 

White  fo'ks  go  way,  leeb  it  lone! 
You  hain't  got  er  bit  ob  business 

Techin'  not  er  single  tone. 
You  jes'  go  'long  wid  yoh  music 

Dat  you  calls  de  "klassahkal," 
While  we  bundles  up  ah  "rag  time" 

An'  goes  "Gittin'  Over  Sal !" 

Why  dat  music,  go  way  honey, 

Makes  you  feel  jes'  lack  you  flyin' ! 


22  "SIGH  AN  ITCHIN'  IN  MAH  SHIN!" 

Lack  you  bobbin'  up  to  glory 
Wid  er  feelin'  satisfyin'! 

An'  you  doesn't  care  er  particle 
Wheddah  you  ebbah  stop  er  tall ! 

Jes'  so  longs  you  keeps  er  gwine, 
An'  you  doesn't  slip  er  fall ! 

Why  de  music  ob  de  rag  time's 

Got  er  happy-go-lucky  snap ! 
Dat  jes'  drags  you  out  yoh  dozes, 

An'  jes'  pulls  you  out  yoh  nap! 
An'  de  wise  jes'  lack  de  foolish 

Bofe  will  kick  an'  squerm  'eroun,' 
When  er  riddle,  band  er  banjo 

Monkeys  wid  its  raggitty  soun'. 

Kose  you  sometimes  may  ax  scanlous, 

Give  yoh  feelins  sich  er  slack 
Dat  de  folks  er  lookin'  at  you, 

Tink  yoh  mind  is  jumped  de  track ! 
But  ez  long  ez  you  is  tickled 

You  don't  mine  it  you  don't  kyeer, 
Kaze  it  he'ps  you  'long  wid  trouble 

Fills  yoh  heart  plum  full  ob  cheer! 

Dat's  de  reason  dat  de  ragtime 

Puts  fo'ks  in  er  jolly  vain, 
Kaze  its  got  de  snap  an'  ginger 

Dat  is  simple  sweet  an',  plain ! 
It  tain't  stuck  up  lack  dat  music 

Wid  er  highkerflootin'  tone, 
But  it  keeps  down  wid  de  plain  fo'ks 

So  dey  understan'  it's  moan. 


23 

A  Emprise  Visit 


Who  am  diss  dat  calls  me  Uncle? 

Joshua  Johnson?     Who  am  he? 
You  de  son  ob  Hockfoot  Johnson, 

Go  'way  chile!    Dat's  miff  fo'  me! 
Why  de  Lawd  be  praised  diss  mawnin' ! 

Dat  deez  ol'  eyes,  still  can  see. 
When  you  fus'  said,  "Howdy  Uncle!" 

Thought  youse  play  in'  some  joke  on  me. 

Come  in  hyah !     Don't  be  er  standin' 

Out  dah  lak  youse  puttin'  on! 
Wees  ol'  fashion'  ez  de  dickens, 

You'll  find  out  befo'  youse  gone. 
Whah's  yoh  trunk?     Yoh  kyarpet  satchel? 

Fotch  'em  in  hyah  wid  you,  too ! 
You  can  stay  long  ez  you  mind  to, 

We  won't  take  er  cent  fum  you! 

Kaze  we  fo'ksez  down  in  Guinea, 

Bleebs  in  hosspetallitee ! 
We  delights  in  sich  pertainin', 

Fo'  to  commerdate  f o'ks  free ! 
Kose  we  don't  libb  in  no  mansion, 

We  hain't  rich  fo'ks  not  er  tall. 
But  wees  allus  got  er  plenty 

Fo'  to  gibb  fo'ks  when  dey  call. 

Sick  ez  possum,  chittlins, 

Pertayters,  chicken,  spahribbs,  ducks  er 
so! 


24  A  SURPRISE  VISIT 

See  yoh  mouf  begin  to  wattah ! 

'Speck  ahd  beddah  say  no  mo'. 
Gawd  knows  ef  youse  lak  yoh  daddy, 

You  am  pow'ful  on  de  eat. 
He  can  eat  fow  big  fat  chickens, 

An'  den  poke  down  six  hog  feet! 

Hoi'  on.    Dinah,  look  hyah  honey ! 

Am  dat  possum  in  de  pot? 
Frow  in  lots  ob  den  drap  dumplins! 

Git  'em  sizzlin',  f rizzlin'  hot ! 
Put  on  three  mo'  big  fat  chickens, 

Six  ham  bones  fowteen  hog  feet, 
Kaze  wees  got  some  kin  fo'  dinner, 

Dat  Ahm  sho'  does  lubb  to  eat! 

Kyah !  Kyah !  Boy,  Ah  speck  youse  tinkin', 

Dat  yoh  uncle  beats  King  Rastus ! 
But  wees  gwine  to  hab  some  eatin', 

An'  we  won't  let  none  git  passed  us. 
Dinah,  Dinah !   Come  hyah  honey ! 

Lemmee  dewce  you  to  mah  r'lation ! 
Now  look  hyah  don't  go  to  primpin', 

Kaze  you'll  try  diss  ol'  man's  patience. 

Diss  am  Jushua  Johnson,  Dinnah, 

He's  de  son  ob  ol'  Hockfoot, 
Uster  peddle  hoodoo  powder, 

Cunjah  charms  an'  ol'  snake  root. 
"What?     De  lawd  be  praised  in  Zion! 

Ol'  man  hain't  you  jokin',  me? 
Come  hyah,  tell  me  Howdy,  sonny. 

Joshua?   Can  dis  truly  be! 


A  SURPRISE  VISIT  25 


He's  de  spit  ob  his  ol'  daddy, 

Hockf oot  Johnson,  up  an'  down ! 
One  ting  sho'  he  won't  be  dead, 

Ez  long  ez  you  is  totein'  roun. 
Youse  knockneed,  slewfoot  jes'  lak  him, 

Got  de  same  bowlegged  walk, 
Dey's  no  spewtin'  fac's  an'  figgers, 

You  am  true  born  Hockfoot  stock. 

Chile  ah's  gwine  back  to  de  kitchen 

Dress  dat  possum  up  so  fine, 
Smuddah  dat  chicken,  pester  dem  chittlins, 

Till  you'll  nebbah'll  feel  lak  gwine! 
Ol'  man,  git  up  put  yoh  boots  on, 

Frow  some  mo'  wood  on  de  fire ! 
Hopp  eroun',  frow  'way  yoh  roomticks, 

Hyah  me?   Fo'  you  raise  mah  ire!" 

Alright  Dinnah  !     Kyah !  Kyah  !  Sonny ! 

Mah  ol'  woman  am  er  sight! 
Ump !   She  makes  me  hopp  lak  sixty, 

Bofe  fum  mawnin'  plurp  till  night. 
But  ah  lubbs  dat  ol'  brae'  woman, 

Yess  ah  does !    Indeed  ah  does ! 
She  hain't  poordy,  she  hain't  handsome, 

But  she's  de  bes'  dat  ebbah  was. 

Why  wees  been  togeddah,  sonny, 

Fo'  deez  sixty  yahs  er  so! 
An'  ef  Dinah  was  to  drapp  off, 

Right  erway  ahd  want  to  go. 
Well,  ah  guess  ahd  beddah  git  up, 

Son,    fo'   Dinah   totes  back  in, 


26  A  SURPRISE  VISIT 

Kaze  she's  liable  fo'  to  hit  me 
Wid  dat  big  ol'  rollin'  pin. 

Kaze  when  she  gits  mad  an'  ruffled, 

She  am  lak  er  yallah  jacket! 
An'  she's  quicker  den  er  buzz  saw, 

An'  can  raise  er  barrel  ob  racket ! 
Now  jes'  make  yo'se'f  at  home,  son, 

We'll  hab  dinner  after  while. 
Ump!  Ah's  jes'  done  reckerflected, 

Dat  Ah's  got  some  wood  to  pile. 
Ah's  got  pow'ful  lots  to  ax  you, 

When  we  sot  down  to  de  table. 
An'  Ah  wants  you  son  to  stuff 

An'  eat,  jes'  long  ez  you  is  able. 


WinCim  Sismmali's  Come 

Wintah's  gone! 

Summah's  come! 
Feel's  lack  waltzin', 

Dancin',  some ! 
White  fo'ks,  black  fo'ks, 

Ol'  an'  glum, 
Is  tickled  lack  de  mischief 

When  Summah's  come! 

Blue  bird  singin' 

Lack  de  cullahd  fo'ks ! 

Jay  bird  talkin' 

Lack  he's  tellin'  jokes! 


WHEN  SUMMAH'S  COME  27 

Woodpeckah  drummin' 

Lack  er  deacon  wid  his  cane, 
Dat's  er  rappin'  fo'  de  liniment 

To  rub  erway  his  pain. 

Whut's  dat  de  bull  frog's 

Sayin'  in  de  swamp? 
Cullahd  fo'ks  it's  time 

Fo'  to  play,  an'  to  romp! 
De  goose  hang's  high 

An'  de  melon's  'bout  due! 
Whut's  de  use  o'  workin' 

When  you  don't  ha'f  to ! 

Fox  an'  de  groun'  hog, 

Tip  toein'  'roun', 
Lack  dey's  HT  bit  skyeerd 

Dey'll  meet  mistah  hound. 
Dey  hain't  no  tellin' 

Whut  de  hound  might  do, 
Ef  dey  meet  him  ah's  er  tinkin' 

T'would  be  cockle-doodle-doo ! 

De  day's  so  fine 

An'  de  season's  done  come, 
Ah  tinks  it's  'bout  time 

To  do  er  li'l  fishin'  some! 
When  de  sun  shines  on 

Bofe  sides  ob  de  street, 
Bass  an'  suckahs 

Am  bitein'  poordy  sweet ! 


28  WHEN  SUMMAH'S  COME 

Wintah's  gone! 

Summah's  come! 
Feels  lack  waltzin', 

Dancin',  some! 
White  fo'ks,  black  fo'ks, 

Ol',  an'  glum, 
Is  tickled  lack  de  mischief 

When  summah's  come ! 


When  ah  hyahs  de  drum1  beat, 

When  ah  hyahs  de  fife  toot ! 
Dat's  de  time  dat  dis  ol'  man 

Mos'  hops  plum  out  his  boots ! 
Kase  dey  hain't  no  use  ob  talkin', 

Dat  puts  ginger  in  mah  heels! 
An'  ah's  boun'  to  do  some  marchin', 

Ef  ah  lose  er  'possum  meal. 

Now  dat's  er  whole  lots,  hain't  it? 

Fo'  er  cullahd  man  to  say! 
When  he  says  he'd  go  off  marchin' 

When  dey's  possum  on  his  tray. 
But  honey,  hyah's  one  darky 

When  he  hyah's  de  fife  an'  drum, 
Am  ready  in  er  jiffy 

To  do  er  li'l  marchin',  some! 


STRIKE  UP  DE  FIFE  AN*  DRUM  29 

Why  who  can  keep  fum  marchin', 

When  dey  hyah  de  fife  an'  drum ! 
An'  sot  still  lack  er  deacon, 

Wid  de  gout,  an'  feelin'  glum. 
Why  dog-gone  mah  skins,  folks ! 

An'  oF  man  lack  me, 
Could  march  plum  down  to  Zeenee 

To  dat  toot !  toot-tee  toot !  toot-tee ! 

Ah  feels  lack  doin'  some  marchin'  now — 

Strike  up  de  fife  an'  drum! 
Les  hab  er  li'l  juberlee 

An'  make  creation  hum! 
Ahd  lack  to  be  er  sojer  once  mo' 

Lack  ah  uster  be! 
When  Linkum  needed  jiners 

An'  he  sot  we  niggahs  free ! 

Such  marchin'  dat  we  niggahs  done, 

When  Linkum  sot  us  free! 
Er  steppin'  to  de  fife  an'  drum 

In  sixty-two  an'  three ! 
You  nebbah  seed  sich  times,  young  fo'ks — 

Ah  hopes  you  nebbah  will ! 
Good  Lawd,  strike  up  de  fife  an'  drum, 

An'  let  me  do  some  drill ! 

Look  at  me,  ol'  an'  feeble,  now ! 

But  let  de  fife  go  —  toot ! 
You'll  tink  diss  ol'  man's  strong  ernuf, 

To  lift  three  barrel's  ob  "jute"! 
Dees  legs  will  straighten  out  quick  as  er 
wink, 


30  STRIKE  UP  DE  FIFE  AN'  DRUM 

An'  soople  up  quick  ez  er  secon' ! 
Ah  spec'  fo'  downright  marchin',  boys, 
Ah'll  beat  you  all  ah  reckon. 

Toot-tee  toot !    Toot-tee  toot ! 

Toot-tee  toot,  tee! 
Toot-tee  toot !     Toot-tee  toot ! 

Toot-tee  toot ! 
.  Strike  up  dat  toot,  jes'  er  secon',  boys, 

An'  watch  yoh  Uncle  Lute ! 

You  see  diss  button  'pon  mah  coat? 

Dat  tells  you  who  ah  am ! 
Dat  tells  you  dat  ah's  one  de  boys 

Dat  fit  f  o'  Uncle  Sam ! 
Ah's  whah  de  bullets  all  eround 

Was  drappin'  thick  ez  rain; 
Strike  up  de  fife  an'  drum  some  mo' ! 

An'  let  mie  drill  again ! 

Er  braver  man  dey  nebbah  was, 

Den  diss  ol'  man,  you  see. 
Ah  nebbah  budged,  ah  nebbah  flinched, 

When  bullets  flew  at  me! 
Er  yallah  streak  you'll  nebbah'll  find 

Up  diss  ol'  niggah's  back  ! 
Strike  up  de  fife  an'  drum  'ergin 

While  ah  marches  down  de  track ! 

Toot-tee  toot!    Toot-tee  toot! 

Toot-tee  toot,  tee! 
Toot-tee  toot !     Dont  let  er  slack ! 

Keek  up  dat  toot  jes'  er  secon',  boys ! 
De  ol'  man's  marchin'  back ! 


31 


You  talk  erbout  yoh  runnin' 

An'  er  gitten'  out  de  way, 
You  oddah  seed  Ol'  Rufus 

Dat  got  scared  de  uddah  day. 
He  hadn't  walked,  dey  tell  me 

Since  Abe  Linkum  sot  him  free ! 
An'  de  ol'  man  seemed  ez  hep'less 

An'  ez  feeble  ez  could  be. 

Well,  de  uddah  day  it  seems 

He  got  er  notion  in  his  mind, 
Dat  he'd  lack  to  come  to  town, 

To  look  eroun'  an'  do  some  buyin'; 
So  de  boys  hitched  up  Ol'  Susan 

An'  drove  up  to  dey  shack 
An'  laid  him  in  de  wagon 

On  er  padded  coffee  sack. 

Now  mind  you !  Uncle  Rufus 

Who  was  eighty-fo'  las'  fall, 
Couldn't  even  hop  wid  crutches, 

Ner  use  er  cane  ertall. 
He  had  gout  an'  roommaticks 

An  claimed  fokses  cunjured  him; 
Dat's  why  he'd  done  been  he'pless 

Forty  yeahs  in  bofe  his  limbs. 

"Now,  boys,"  said  Uncle  Rufus, 
"Let  de  mare  go  li'l  sl'o'; 


32  UNCLE  RUFUS'  ROOMMATIC  CURE 

Kase  ah's  got  er  pow'ful  jumpin' 
In  mah  hips  an'  in  mah  toe. 

Yoh  Daddy's  poody  feeble, 

An'  you  mus'  be  mighty  careful, 

De  only  reason  ah's  still  hyah 

Am,  kaze  ahm  pow'ful  prayerful!" 

Well,  dey  jogged  erlong,  an'  jogged  erlong, 

Till  'bout  three  miles  f um  town ; 
De  ol'  man  axd  whut  time  it  was, 

An'  skimmed  his  eyes  eroun'. 
Dey's  nine  miles  fum  his  shanty 

An'  de  road  was  rough  an'  tumble — 
Twas  all  Ol'  Susan  she  could  do, 

To  keep  her  foots  fum  stumblin.' 

Jes'  ez  dey's  'bout  to  make  er  tarn 

Dat  headed  dem  to  town, 
De  ol'  man  heard  er  li'l  noise, 

An'  tarned  his  head  eround; 
"Good  Lawd !    Look  at  dat  wile  cat,  boys ! 

Good  Lawd!  Whut  shall  ah  do?" 
But  de  boys  dey  tarned  Ol'   Susan  loose, 

An'  straight  back  home  dey  flew ! 

But  when  dey  got  back  to  dey  shack, 

Jes'  'magine,  dey  surprise, 
Er  dancin'  an'  er  praisin'  God, 

Stood  Rufus  'fo'  dey  eyes ! 
Dey  cried,  "Why   Foddah,  how'd  you  git 
back?" 

Er  miracle  diss  am  sho' ! 
"Ahm  hyah,  boys !    Ah  beat  Ol'  Susan  back, 

Go. 'long,  dat's  all  ah  kno' !" 


33 


Bey  HaJirrt  No  Seimse  m  Gtaib'  Gknm 


Dey  haint  no  sense 

In  gitten'  glum, 
An'  sotin  down 

When  trouble  come ! 
Er  feelin'  mad 

An'  feelin'  blue, 
Kase  tings  haint  tarned 

Up  right  fo'  you. 

Why  dat's  de  time 

To  sing  an'  shout ! 
When  trouble  comes 

Er  broozin'   bout. 
Jes'  pat  yoh  foots 

An'  carry  on 
An'  sing  till  Ol' 

Man's  Trouble's  gone. 

De  wise  fo'ks 

Am  de  kind  can  sing, 
When  trouble  comes 

Er  pestering. 
Dey  lafs  an'  smiles, 

You  wouldn't  kno 
Dat  trouble's  hangin' 

Round  dey  doah! 

So  when  you  find 
Yo'se'f  in  doubt, 


34        DEY  HAIN'T  NO  SENSE  IN  GITTIN'  GLUM 

'Bout  how  yoh  trouble's 

Comin'  out, 
Jes'  pat  yoh  foot 

An'  sing  some  mo' 
An'  trouble'll  run 

Plum  out  yoh  doah. 


1®  S 


You  may  tink  me  poordy  rowdy, 
But  fo'ks  to  sabe  may  soul, 
Ah  kain't  keep  mah  seat, 
When  music  comes  so  bol' ! 
It  strikes  me  in  de  ankles, 
An'  it  gits  down  in  mah  toes, 
Till  ah  kain't  keep  fum  jumpin'  up 
An  cuttin'  dy-ah-doze! 

Fiddledee,  fiddledee  fiddle! 
Squeakertee,  squeakertee,  squawk! 
Sounds  jes'  lack  dat  tings  er  tryin' 
Mighty  hard  to  tawk ! 

How  it's  music  makes  you, 
Bust  yo'se'f  plum  loose! 
Hop  'round'  lack  er  gander 
Bobb  'roun'  lack  er  goose! 
Ez  long's  de  fiddle  squawks, 
An'  es  Ion's  de  fiddle  whine, 
You  pays  no  bit  o'  tenshun 
Which  erway  you  all  is  gwine! 


FIDDLE  SONG  35 


Fiddledee,  fiddledee  fiddle! 
Squeakertee,  squeakertee  squawk! 
Sounds  jes'  lack  dat  tings  er  tryin' 
Mighty  hard  to  tawk ! 

You  oddah  seed  me  when  ah's  spawkin' 
Sixty  yeahs  ergo! 
When  befo  me  an'  miss  Molly 
Went  er  bobbin'  down  de  flo' ! 
You  nebbah  seed  sich  cuttin'  up, 
An'  monkeyin'  carryin'  on, 
Since  po'  ol'  Nebbahneezer 
Wid  de  oxes  ate  de  corn! 

Fiddledee,  fiddledee  fiddle! 
Squeakertee,  squeakertee  squawk! 
Sounds  jes'  lack  dat  tings  er  tryin' 
Mighty  hard  to  tawk ! 

Dey's  times  diss  ol'  man's  troubles 
Gits  thick  ez  meddah  grass, 
And  cares  sprout  up  lack  mushroons, 
Gits  thick  ez  sassahfrass. 
But  jes'  tickle  de  fiddle  strings 
An'  lemmee  hyah  it  speak, 
Fo'ks  when  it  comes  to  jump  in', 
Ah  beats  er  lightnin'  streak. 

Fiddledee,  fiddledee  fiddle! 
Squeakertee,  squeakertee  squawk! 
Sounds  jes'  lack  dat  tings  er  tryin' 
Mighty  hard  to  tawk ! 


36  FIDDLE  SONG 


Dey's  times  diss  ol'  man's  spirits 
Gits  on  de  mountain  top ! 
When  de  music  keeps  er  comin' 
Fum  de  fiddle  flippeeteflopp ! 
You  can  hab  mah  robe  an'  manshon, 
An'  can  take  mah  starry  crown, 
Jes'  keep  de  fiddle  whinein' 
When  diss  ol'  man's  loafin'  'roun' ! 

Fiddledee,  fiddledee  fiddle! 
Squeakertee,  squeakertee  squawk! 
Sounds  jes'  lack  dat  tings  er  tryin' 
Mighty  hard  to  tawk ! 


Ye  sons  of  Adam's  mighty  race, 

Unfettered  by  God's  munificent  grace, 

Have  ye  forgot  that  noble  sire, 

Who  filled  with  patriotic  fire, 

Struck  first  the  blow  for  freedom's  cause 

To  abbrogate  the  tyrant's  laws  ? 

If  such  there  be  let  him  be  shunned, 

By  every  loyal  patriot  son! 

He  is  not  fit  for  freedmen's  clan, 

Who  forgets  the  deeds  of  such  a  man! 

Heaven  hath  decreed  through  Adam's  fall, 
Each  race  for  a  spell  must  bear  the  thrall. 
Through  blood  and  tears  it  must  be  freed, 
By  brave  magnanimous,  generous  deeds. 


CRISPUS  ATTUCKS  37 

Hear  ye !  the  cry  from  thralldom's  plain, 
''Arise  ye  slaves,  shake  off  thy  chains !" 
While  tryants  tremble,  cringe  and  groan, 
Dismayed  they  totter  on  their  thrones ! 
Against  tyranny,  that  great  revolt, 
Rushed  like  the  mighty  thunder  bolts, 
And  like  a  Vesuvius  in  eruptive  state, 
It  left  the  foe  most  desolate ! 

Liberty,  the  invigorating  elixir  sweet ! 
Descended  from  heav'n's  mercy  seat, 
The  boon  for  which  all  mankind  thrives, 
Bought  by  the  blood  of  countless  lives, 
Inspired  that  act  which  broke  the  spell, 
For  which  brave  Crispus  Attucks,  fell. 

Well  didst  he  strike !  This  martyr  brave, 
Couldst  he  but  rise  up  from  his  grave 
Behold  his  country  disenthralled, 
In  majesty  and  sweet  content 
'Mid  scenes  most  glorious,  eloquent, 
Filled  with  an  unctuous  holy  joy 
To  sweeter  dreams  he  could  lie  down, 
Through  evening  shades  pass  to  yon  shore 
Receive  the  well  earned  martyr's  crown. 

Who  was  this  man  whose  deeds  we  trace? 
He  was  of  Ethiopia's  race, 
Whose  sons  have  suffered,  bled  and  died, 
To  help  make  this  land  unified! 

Ye  sons  of  Ethiopia's  race, 
Arise  with  dignity  and  grace! 


38  CRISPUS  ATTUCKS 


Since  from  beneath  the  chastening  rod 
Ye  have  been  raised  by  mighty  God, 
Heaven  expects  thee  to  help  rear, 
The  mighty  structure  building  here! 

His  body  sleeps  beneath  the  sod, 
O'er  which  no  tyrants  cohorts  trod. 
Though  dead,  yet  he  is  more  alive 
Than  when  on  earth  he  did  here  strive. 
The  blow  he  struck  for  freedom's  band, 
Still  goes  resounding  through  the  land. 
To  those  unborn  it  shall  proclaim 
"Liberty  for  all"  in  Heaven's  name. 

His  deeds  shall  shine  like  that  great  light 
Which  bursts  from  Pisga's  lofty  height. 
The  encircling  gloom  cannot  obscure 
It's  light  that  shines  for  ever  more. 

So  let  His  deeds  your  souls  inspire! 
Filled  with  a  patriotic  fire, 
First,  last  and  always,  ever  be, 
A  negro !  Proud  of  your  ancestry ! 

Liberty  enthroned  the  great  jubilate 

Is  sung  by  the  Angels  as  they  congregate, 

Around  the  portals  of  the  Lord 

And  strike  their  harps  with  one  accord ! 

Write  with  a  vigor,  with  a  fire, 
The  name  of  this  redoubtable  sire! 
Upon  the  page  ascribed  to  those, 
Who  died  to  lift  a  nation's  woes ! 


39 


Doff  your  hats  and  bow  your  heads 
The  Old  Veterans  are  passing  by! 
Battled  scarred,  their  days  far  spent, 
Life's  eventide  fast  draweth  nigh. 

Warriors  bold,  gallant  and  brave, 
They  faltered  not,  they  knew  no  fear, 
Where  e'er  their  captain  led  the  way, 
They  sallied  forward,  with  a  cheer. 
Decrepit,  haltingly  they  go, 
Like  tottering  children,  step,  by  step! 
Within  their  eyes  still  is  the  glow  of 

patriotism, 
That  has  not  slept. 

The  world  has  heard  their  belching  guns, 
The  rattle  of  their  musketry, 
Beheld  their  dashing,  cavalcades, 
Fight !   That  a  nation  might  be  free ! 
Their  deeds  are  mighty  as  the  sea, 
And  shine  bedazzling  as  the  sun ! 
An  inspiration  to  all  men 
Who've  struggled,  since  the  world  begun. 

They  fought  for  that  approved  by  God ! 
Truth  and  right,  justice  for  all! 
And  heav'n  and  earth  rejoiced  as  one 
When  burst  the  nation's  bond  and  thrall ! 


40  THE  OLD  VETERANS 

Christ  shed  his  blood  on  Calvary, 
That  man  might  be  redeemed  from  sin. 
The  deeds  of  those  who  nobly  died 
With  that  great  deed  are  truly  kin. 

Through  rivers  of  blood  through  rivers  of 

tears, 
These    conquering    heroes,    marched    and 

slayed, 

Like  Caesar's  men,  faced  hell's  fierce  fires, 
But  not  for  once  were  they  dismayed. 

Yes,  they  are  passing!    One,  by  one. 
The  great  creator,  Lord  of  all, 
Angels  and  men  drop  tears  and  pause, 
When  these  true  patriot,  heroes  fall. 

Salute  these  veterans  one  and  all! 
Who  await  their  summons,  await  their  call. 
Tribute  and  praise  to  those  who  fought, 
To  make  supreme  our  National  Law. 


0®  Ees'  S&ate  in  de  Lara' 

Ah  comes  from  ol'  Virginnee, 

De  bes'  state  in  de  Ian' ! 

Whah  fo'ks  hain't  skyahd  to  meet  you, 

Hain't  erfraid  to  shake  yo'  han'. 

Dey's  jes'  plain  an'  ol'  fashion, 

Dey  don't  put  on  no  airs, 

Wid  fo'k's  dat  do,  you  bet  yo'  life 

Dey's  got  no  time  to  spare. 


DE  BES'  STATE  IN  DE  LAN*  41 

Why  down  in  ol'  Virginnee, 

Why,  it's  "come  in !  howdee-you-doo !" 

Hab  er  bite  ob  sumpun,   fo'  yo'   journey 

you  pursue! 

Jes'  stay  long  ez  you  mine  to, 
You  neen't  pay  er  cent ! 
Jes'  make  yo'se'f  one  ob  us 
An'  we  all,  will  feel  content! 
An'  feed  yo'  ?  lawd  er  massy  chile ! 
Dey  don't  know  when  to  stop! 
It's  hab  some  mo,  dat  hog  head,  brudder, 
Hab  er  nudder  chop ! 
Den  fus'ting  yo'll  hyah  ol'  uncle,  say, 
Chile,  is  you  skyahd  to  eat? 
Ef  you  don't  eat  up  all  ah  pass, 
You'll  i'sult  ol' Uncle  Pete! 

Den  nex'  hyah  conies  ol'  granny 
Wid  some  egg  pone  jes'  lak  gol' ! 
Some  mustard  greens  wid  bacon 
An'  some  good  ol'  fat  hog  jowl ! 
An*  by  de  time  she's  fotchd  yo' 
Plenty  chicken,  plenty  gobbler, 
Bejinks  yo'  hain'  got  room  ernuf 
To  stuff  down  apple  cobbler. 

Poordy  soon  yo'll  see  ol*  granny, 
Sof'ly  steal  out  in  de  kitchen, 
Tain't  long  fo'  she's  totein'  back, 
Jes'  er  rahin'  back  jes'  er  switchin'. 
Den  ol'  uncle  ejacerlates, 
"Sho'  ez  ah's  born  to  die" ! 


42  DE  BES'  STATE  IN  DE  LAN' 

Sookeeryah,  Looey  Jane, 
Whah  am  mah  Rock  an'  Rye?" 

Den  granny  kinder  teasin'  lak 

Pokes  out  er  dimmejohn. 

An'  uncle  clahs  his  tho'at  dat  sounds 

Bout  lak  er  cracked  fox  horn. 

An'  says,  "dis  takes  all  de  kinks 

Out  de  back ! 

So  pass  yo  goards 

An'  hab  jes'  er  smack"! 

It's  good  fo'  de  rich, 

It's  good  fo'  de  po'! 

Go  back  in  de  kitchen  Lizea 

Fetch  us  all  some  mo'. 

Dat's  de  way  dem  fo'kses  treat  yo', 
Dey  want  to  see  yo'  joy  yo'se'f ! 
Eat  an'  drink  jes'  all  yo'  mine  to 
Long  ez  anyting  is  lef. 
Yo'  bet  dey's  allus  got  er  barrel  ob 
Grub  eroun'  de  shanty! 
Summer,  winter,  spring  er  fall, 
You  nebber  find  it  scanty 
You  go  to  church,  to  Sunday  meetin', 
Ebbry  body  wants  to  meet  yo'! 
Dey  don't  wait  fo'  yo'  to  speak  fus' 
But  dey  tote  right  up  an'  greet  yo' ! 
Dey  don't  stan'  off  er  lookin'  lak 
Yo'  was  some  alligator, 
Erfraid  to  git  up  close  to  yo', 
Lak  yo's  er  spile  pertater. 


DE  BES'  STATE  IN  DE  LAN'  43 

Yo'll  find  dem  zackly  lak  ah  tells  yo' 

Ez  ol'  fashion  ez  de  dickens ! 

Don't  kyah  ef  yo's  poh  ez  snakes, 

Er  rich  ez  Peter  Diggens ! 

It  hain't  yo'  clothes  de's  lookin'  at, 

Ner  at  yo'  eddeerkayshen. 

But  good  hoss  sense  an'  propah  ways 

Whut  wins  dey  admiration ! 

Ahs  been  up  hyah  in  dis  hyah  state, 
Ahspec'  poord  nah  fow  years  er  so. 
Deez  fo'kses  to  git  quainted  wid, 
Dey  sho'  Gawd  knows  am  mos'  powful  slo' 
Ah  kaint  git  use  to  dem  at  tall, 
Dey  ac's  too  ristercrattic  fo'  me. 
Ahd  rudder  be  bodderd  wid  yaller  jackets 
Er  stung  in  de  ankle 
Wid  er  bumble  bee !    . 
Dat's  why  yo'  dadd  an'  me's  sich  pallies. 
Kaze  de  fus'  time  dat  ah  struck  diss  town, 
Er  stranger,  he  walked  up  to  me, 
Says'  howd  doo  brudder  which  way's  yo's 
bound  ? 

Why  he  jes'  made  me  feel  right  dah 
We'd  bofe  been  'quainted  forty  yeahs. 
It  did  mah  ol'  heart  so  much  good, 
Ah  mus'  hab  drapped  some  joyful  tears! 
Ah  knowed  right  dah,  yo'  daddy's 
Some  de  ol'  Virginnee  stock! 
When  he  frowed  his  mouf  wide  open, 
An'  he  den  commenced  to  talk. 


44  DE  BES'  STATE  IN  DE  LAN' 

Zackly  lak  dem  fo'ks  down  yonder, 
It  was,  "come  go  home  wid  me ! 
We'll  fill  up  de  pots  an'  skillets 
Fill  yo'  up  till  yo'  kain't  see ! 

Ef  dey  all  was  lak  yo'  daddy, 
Wid  er  smile  an'  frenly  han,' 
Dog  mah  cats,  an'  string  terbaccer ! 
Ah  don't  bleeb  ahd  leeb  diss  Ian'. 
Kaze  he's  jes'  de  sort  o'  pusson 
Dat  can  make  yo'  feel  at  home, 
Till  you'  feel  jes  lak  er  settlin'  down, 
Wid  feelin's  not  to  roam! 


Sing  dat  song  once  mo',  Miss  Mandy, 
Jes'  once  mo',  jes'  ef  yo'  please ! 
Sounds  ez  sweet  ez  angel  whispers, 
An'  de  song  birds  'mong  de  trees, 
It  kyahs  ma  back!  way  back  yonder, 

Way  down  Souf ! 

Whah  we  tromped  thoo'  de  cotton  fields, 
An'  when  ah  hearts  was  sad, 

We  sing'd  dat  chune 
Fo'  to  make  ah  souls  glad, 

Way  down  Souf ! 

Yo'   know   nuffin'    'bout   dem   days,   Miss, 

Mandy, 
Dat  was  befo'  yo'  time! 


'WAY  DOWN  SOUF  45 

'Sides  yo's  been  r'ared 

In  er  diffun'  clime ! 
Yo'  nebbah  had  to  wock  fum  de  fus'  horn 

bio' 

Lake  we  uster  had  to  wock 
Till  de  sun  sink'd  low, 

Way  down  Souf ! 

But  we  had  good  times,  Miss  Mandy, 
Sum  good  ol*  times  fo'  sho' ! 
But  ol'  Missy  an'  ol'  Massa, 
We  diden'  let  'em  know. 
Yo'  bet  we's  mighty  kyahful 
When  we  had  ah  dance  an'  feas', 
Dat  al'  Missy  an'  ol'  Massa 
Didn't  git  an  inklin'  in  de  leas' ! 

When  Ah  hyah  dat  chune,  Miss  Mandy, 
Ah  wants  to  step  erbout, 
An'  do  jes'  lak  de  ol'  fo'ks, 
Ez  dey  uster  sing  an'  shout, 

Way  down  Souf ! 
I  kin  see  dem  now ! 
Ez  dey  raised  dey  voice  to  sing, 
An'  sot  de  ol'  big  cabin 
In  one  great  big  ring ! 

Way  down  Souf ! 

But  dem  days  done  gone,  Miss  Mandy! 

Dey's  gone  lak  er  dream. 

An'  de  or  fo'ks, 

Done  crossed  de  stream ! 

But  doh  dey's  gone, 


46  'WAY  DOWN  SOUF 

An'  ah's  lef  erlone, 
An'  ol'  age  creeped 
In  mah  ebbry  bone, 
Dey's  a  hankerin'  f eelin' ! 
Keeps  er  dribein'  me  back, 
Way  down  Souf ' 

When  er  dahky  is  ol' 
An'  his  step  comes  slo', 
An'  he  totters  lak  er  reed, 
When  de  sof  winds  blow, 
An'  all  his  ties  ob  erf  am  dead, 
An'  fo'ks  all  strange 
Whah  ebber  he  tread, 
It's  de  ol'  time  chune, 
Wid  er  clah,  keen  knack ! 
Dat  makes  yo'  feel  new. 
Teahs  yo'  youth  come  back, 
Way  down  Souf ! 


Wfcieifii  d©  Fnalh  am  Kmdliiir/  Hod 


When  de  sno'  it  am  er  fallin,' 

Winds  er  whizzin'  down  de  lanes, 
An'  de  fros'  it  am  er  freezin' 

Fo'  yo'  eyes  erpun  de  panes, 
Whut  am  beddah  den  er  neslin' 

'Roun'  er  fiah  dat's  roas'in'  hot? 
Fo'  er  pickahninny  dahky 

Hain't  er  mo'  enchantin'  spot. 


WHEN  DE  FIAH  AM  KINDLIN'  HOT  47 

When  de  breezes  am  er  moanin' 

An'  de  sun  am  sinkin'  lo', 
An'  de  gloomy  clouds  an'  shaddahs 

Geddah  'roun'  erbout  yo'  do'; 
When  yo'  hyeah  de  co'n  er  poppin', 

See  de  cidah  all  er  foam, 
In  yo'  soul  de  joy  an'  gladness 

Seems  eroun'  erbout  to  roam. 

An'  yo  granny  am  er  hummin', 

Cat  er  purrin'  on  de  rug, 
An'  yo'  git  er  sniff  de  burbun 

Dat  am  steamin'  fum  de  jug  — 
Umph!  de  berry  'maggahnayshun 

Makes  er  puson  think  it's  real. 
It  am  glory!     Hesh  yo'  mouf,  sah, 

Doan'  yo'  ax  me  how  yo'  feel. 

All  yo'  troubles  an'  yo'  burdens 

Seems  to  take  de  swif'es  flight! 
'Pears  yo'  berry  soul  am  lif'ed 

To  de  blissful  mountain  heights! 
Whah  de  lan's  erflo'  wid  honey, 

Streets  an'  alleys  paved  wid  gol', 
An'  de  simphonnies  o'  heaben's 

Got  er  sweetnes'  kaint  be  tol'. 

Yo'  kin  sing  de  song  o'  Moses, 

Shout  yo'se'f  clah  to  de  sky ! 
Pickahninny's  den  in  cloveah, 

No  time  den  to  weep  an'  sigh. 
Let  de  sno'  keep  on  er  fallin', 

Let  de  breezes  whizz  an'  moan, 
Longs  er  pickahninny's  neslin' 
'Roun'  er  hot  fiah  ub  his  own. 


Ksize  de  SOTH  Am  Smkiiini' 


Droopy,  droopy,  am  de  flow'rs, 
Petals  closed  an'  shrinkin' 
Gone  er  sleepin'  an'  er  doze — 

Kaze  de  sun  am  sinkin' ! 
All  de  day  er  lookin'  gran' 
An*  er  'fumein'  up  de  Ian', 
Baskin'  now  in  slumbah's  stran'- 

Kaze  de  sun  am  sinkin' ! 

Droopy,  droopy,  am  de  flow'rs, 

Petals  closed  an'  shrinkin' 
Peepahs  shet  an'  fas'  ersleep, 

Kaze  de  sun  am  sinkin' ! 

Crystal  brooklet  glidin'  'long 

Chants  to  dem  er  cradle  song, 

Res'  an'  slumbah,  weary  throng- 

Kaze  de  sun  am  sinkin' ! 

Droopy,  droopy,  am  de  flow'rs, 

Petals  closed  an'  shrinkin' 
Lull'd  ersleep  in  fairy  realm, 

Kaze  de  sun  am  sinkin' ! 
All  dey  tinsels  tints  an'  hue 
Dat  attracts  de  bees  an*  woo, 
Closed  dey  now  am  all  to  view- 
Kaze  de  sun  am  sinkin' ! 


KAZE  DE  SUN  AM  SINKIN'  49 

Droopy,  droopy,  am  de  flow'rs, 

Petals  closed  an'  shrinkin' 
Soon  will  wake  wid  birds  an'  bees, 

When  de  sun's  dun  sinkin' ! 
When  de  sunlight  mounts  to  view, 
At  de  tech  o'  mornin's  dew 
Once  mo'  wil  dey  ope  to  view  — 

When  de  sun's  dun  sinkin' ! 


Little  Rastus  feelin'  blue— 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 
Out  o'  sorts  an'  gloomy,  too ! 

Po'  liT  Rastus! 
Broke  his  little  hobby  hoss 

Makes  de  little  fellah  cross. 
Doan'  cry,  honey,  'tain'  much  loss. 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 

He  jes'  wo'  out,  rompin'  'roun', 

Po'  liT  Rastus! 
Git  up,  honey,  fum  de  groun'. 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 

Look  ee  dah,  dun  spiled  yo'  dress, 
An'  it  am  yo'  Sunday  bes', 
Now  hain't  yo'  er  poody  mess  I 

Po'  liT  Rastus! 

Whut  dat  stickin'  on  yo'  han'? 
Po'  liT  Rastus! 


50  PO'  LTL*  RASTUS 


Yo'  bin  in  de  'lasses  can. 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 
Whut  dat  whut  de  Bible  say 
'Bout  de  chile  dat  steal  dat  'way? 
He'll  go  whah  de  bad  men  stay! 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 
Dat  ol'  bad  man  am  er  sight. 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 
Cum  er  sneakin'  'roun'  at  night. 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 

Cum  an'  koch  yo'  when  yo'  sleep, 
Den  he  take  er  great  big  leap ! 
Down  er  hoi'  dat's  way  down  deep ! 

Po'  HT  Rastus ! 

Cum  hyah,  little  wooly  head. 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 
Gwine  to  tuck  yo'  way  to  bed. 

Po'  HT  Rastus ! 
Look  ee  dah,  de  day  dun  gone ! 
Shaddahs  streamin'  th'ew  de  co'n, 
Sleep  until  de  sunlight  dawn ! 

Po'  HT  Rastus! 


Jingahling !  j  ingahling ! 

When  er  sotin'  lone, 
Yo'  kin  call  yo'  honey — 

Go  to  courtin'  o'  de  phone. 
Drives  erway  de  shaddahs, 


COURTIN'  O'R  DE  PHONE  51 

Makes  yo'  quit  yo'  fret  an'  stew, 
Fills  yo'  soul  wid  sunshine, 
Opens  up  yo'  hea't  ernew. 

Jingahling !  j  ingahling ! 

Dis  yo',  Liza  Jane? 
"Yes,  dis  am  yo'  honey," 

Cums  de  sweet  an'  sof'en  'frain. 
Den  yo'  go  to  pohin' 

In  her  ear  de  words  o'  love : 
Tickles  her  to  def, 
An'  makes  her  think  she  am  er  dove. 

Jingahling!  Jingahling! 

When  yo'  hyeah  her  say: 
"Honey,  when  yo'  gone  it's 

Allus  night  an'  nebbah  day," 
Tears  dat  while  dey's  fallin' 

In  yo'  ear,  dat  lovin'  tone, 
Yo'  kin  see  yo'  honey 

Standin'  dah  befo'  de  phone. 

Jingahling!  Jingahling! 

Sweetah  grows  de  tone, 
Makes  er  niggah  neerly 

Ram  his  head  clah  th'ew  de  phone. 
Kaze  dem  sugah  wurds 

Dey  sho'ly  make  yo'  hea't  inspah  — 
'Lecktrifies  yo'  spirit, 

Sots  yo'  whol'  soul  all  er  nah ! 

Jingahling !  j  ingahling ! 
When  de  day  is  dun, 


52  COURTIN'  O'R  DE  PHONE 

You  no  mo'  kin  see  de 

Blazin',  dazzlin',  sinkin'  sun, 

How  yo'  lub  to  'membah 

'Bout  yo'  courtin'  o'  de  phone, 

Ez  yo'  muse  an'  pondah 
In  yo'  cabin  all  er  lone! 


When  de  shadows  ub  de  e'ebnin's 

Gently,   sof'ly   fallin'   'roun', 
'Cross  de  lonely  field  an'  meadows, 

Cums  de  cattle's  lowin'  soun'; 
An'  de  vespah  bells  am  ringin' 

An'  dey  blen'  in  tuneful  lay, 
It's  a  knell  dat's  sad  an'  mournful 

To  de  dying  summah  day. 

An*  yo'  weary  fum  de  labah 

Ub  de  tillin'  ub  de  soil, 
Fum  sun  up  'till  time  ub  sinkin' 

Wifout  res'  mus'  toil  an'  toil; 
How  yo'  welcum  on  de  hours, 

Blissful  seezuns  all  ub  res' 
When  a  neslin'  'neef  de  kibbahs, 

Yo'  kin  soff'en  pillahs  press. 

When  de  HT  lights  ub  hebun 

Fum  behine  day  kibbah  peep, 
All  er  blinkin'  an'  er  twinklin' 


REMINISCENCE  53 


Ez  dey  'cross  de  hebuns  creep; 
Dah's  a  sadden  feelin'  takes  yo', 

Ez  yo'  lonely  sot  an'  sigh, 
Ez  yohr  mem'ry  goze  to  'fleck'in 

Ub  de  olen  days  gone  by. 

How  yohr  ole  home  cums  befo'  yo' 

Wif  de  fiah-place  all  erf'ame, 
Ez  it  kindled  an'  enliven'd 

Yo'  into  a  joyful  frame; 
An'  de  scene  at  night  when  gaddahd 

All  eroun'  yohr  mammy  sot, 
Ez  she  tole  yo'  little  stohries, 

Allus  chahms  de  little  tot. 

Seemz  yo'  hyeah  de  old  fo'ks  singin', 

An'  dey  voices  ringin'  clah, 
Ez  at  night  all  knelt  togeddah 

Fo'  to  ax  de  mahstah's  kyah, 
To  puzzurb  dem  fum  de  ebil 

Spirits  lurkin'  far  an'  neer; 
Keep  dey  minds  all  free  fum  feelin's 

Soopahstishun  an'  fum  feer. 

How  yo'  long  yo's  wif  de  dahkies 

Once  mo'  geddahd  in  de  field, 
When  at  night  all  in  de  moonlight, 

Danced  de  ole  Virginny  reel ; 
To  de  plumpin'  ub  de  banjos 

An'  de  fiddle's  sawin'  choon, 
An'  de  songs  dat  wuz  trumphun' 

To  de  ole  plantayshun  coon. 


54  REMINISCENCE 


How  yo'  wish'd  to  'gain  libb  obah 

Dem  days  at  yo'  ole  home  spot, 
Wif  yo'  frens  dat's  cross'd  de  ribbah, 

Wuz  again  yo'  happy  lot; 
But  dem  days  hab  gone  fohebbah, 

Nebah  mo'  will  dey  return, 
When  yo'  sot  an'  'fleck  erbout  'em, 

How  yo'  ole  heart  fo'  dem  yern. 


04 


